The Experience

Allanton, population 100. Welcome to the sleepy back of beyond, an untouched corner of the rural idyll that most people skip on their rush north. Well, there’s no rush here, just patchwork fields, rolling hills and the river Tweed pottering off to the coast. As for this cute little inn, it’s a great base from which to explore. The style is charming, the locals friendly, the prices lovely, the food a treat. It sits on the only street in town with a garden that backs onto open country; in summer you can have lunch in the sun while watching the farmer plough his fields. Inside, home-spun interiors have colour and style. There’s an open-plan feel, the airy bar flowing into a half-panelled restaurant. You’ll find a smouldering fire, fresh flowers, good art, local ales. Rooms have an easy style: padded bedheads, good bathrooms, Farrow & Ball colours. A couple are big, those at the back have the view. Super local food waits downstairs, perhaps an Eyemouth fish platter, rump of local lamb, lavender and raspberry brûlée. There’s local honeycomb at breakfast, too. You can fish, walk, play a bit of golf. Perfect.

The neighbourhood

You can fish the local River Whiteadder, but through the family farm, the inn can offer 3 rods on the River Tweed at the Boathouse in Norham, located just 5 miles from the hotel.

There are several well established walking routes in the area, some of which are coastal trails offering breathtaking views of the East Coast.

There’s great golf in Borders - Eyemouth and the Roxburghe are fantastic courses and discounts for guests can be arranged for Duns & Hirsel

The lovely rolling landscape of the Scottish Borders makes it a perfect area to explore by bike. There are many sign-posted routes such as The Border Loop, the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route & the Tweed Cycle Way.

Local stables offer good facilities for riders of all standards. Mill House Stables near Chirnside is a BHS approved riding school and racing at Kelso is 25 minutes away.

The Scottish Borders has an variety of country houses and castles all close to the inn and worth a visit.